• OurToothbrushM
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    4
    arrow-down
    5
    ·
    8 months ago

    Populism is literally focusing on the masses. Now elitists use it as a pejorative to refer to fascists when fascists are also elitist with faux populist rhetoric.

    • Gabu
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      8 months ago

      No, populism is a focus on electorally beneficial short term goals. Has been so since always. Political decisions taken with the intent and plan of benefitting the populous are simply called a “good political administration”.

      • go_go_gadget@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        8 months ago

        No, populism is a focus on electorally beneficial short term goals.

        I mean I’ve heard people accuse Bernie of being a populist but I don’t think he’s focused on short term goals. Are they using the term wrong?

        • Gabu
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          4
          ·
          8 months ago

          Quite clearly, yes. Bernie may rely on populism more than a hardline socialist, but as a relative metric against his rivals, he’s not even close to a populist.

      • OurToothbrushM
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        5
        ·
        8 months ago

        Political decisions taken with the intent and plan of benefitting the populous are simply called a “good political administration”.

        That’s populism.